Moving Toward Zero Waste: Recycling as a Gateway to Sustainable Behaviors Moving Toward Zero Waste: Recycling as a Gateway to Sustainable Behaviors CURC Webinar September 2, 2010 Laurie Cousart, Director for Sustainability, Business Services Division CURC Webinar September 2, 2010 Laurie Cousart, Director for Sustainability, Business Services Division

Penn has invested in a sustainable University City:

Diverse

Dense

Walkable

Transit-oriented

Close to jobs, retail, entertainment

First-class school system

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Penn’s Campus Today

290 acres

14 million sf in 180 buildings

20,000 students

20,000 faculty and staff

12 schools

1 campus

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What is the Penn Green Campus Partnership?

Umbrella organization formed in 2007 to address sustainability planning and policy development at Penn

Includes all student, faculty, and staff groups and initiatives related to environmental sustainability

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The Climate Action Plan:

Integrates sustainability into all areas of academics

Encourages students and staff to serve as environmental stewards of their College Houses and office spaces

Connects students to senior administrators through sustainability projects

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• Presidents’ Climate Commitment• Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee

• Climate Action Plan• LEED Certified Buildings

• Sustainability Coordinators in Schools & Centers• Penn Green Pre-Orientation Program

• Student Eco Reps• Staff Eco Reps

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Eco-Reps – peer-to-peer environmental leadership program in College Houses and Greek Chapters

Penn Environmental Group – undergraduate leadership

FarmEcology – raises awareness and educates Penn's campus about the benefits of local foods

Penn Engineers Without Borders – annual Water Purification Projects in Honduras and Cameroon

Undergraduate Assembly – created a new position for a Director for Housing, Sustainability, and Facilities

SAS/Wharton Student Sustainability Advisory Boards – provides students with a forum to give feedback and implement ideas pertaining to sustainability

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Music Building LEED Silver

Horticultural Center, Morris Arboretum, targeting LEED Platinum

LEED Silver Minimum Standard

From this……to this – Penn Park

The Green Fund is a competitively awarded grant that finances innovative ideas by students, faculty, and staff to help Penn meet the goals of the Climate Action Plan.

Projects selected in 2010:Annenberg Public Policy Center Worm CompostingAddams Hall RetrofitCollege House Energy Conservation CompetitionSigma Chi Fraternity Window RestorationEnergy Efficiency Plan for University City DistrictSchool of Medicine Lighting Analysis and ImplementationQuad Heating/Cooling Occupancy SensorsPEG Green Acorn Certification ProgramPenn Garden

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The Climate Action Plan:

Establishes a comprehensive campus-wide policy for waste reduction and recycling

Enables proper practices through communication, events, and improved transparency of the collection system

Champions green purchasing practices, composting efforts, local food investments, and source reduction initiatives

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In 2008 –

Disjointed recycling program

Little understanding of zero waste ideas

Distrust of process

Today –

Broad recycling initiatives

Participation by schools and centers

Student initiatives

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Environment matters

City of Philadelphia emphasis on recycling

Recycle Bank

Blue Mountain Recycling now accepts 1-7 plastics

Bon Appetit, dining partner, corporate sustainability mission

Wilmington Organics Recycling Center opened

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Current waste reduction and recycling initiatives

Batteries

Toner cartridges

Pens

CFL Collection

Multiple locations- offices, stores, residences

Current waste reduction and recycling initiatives at Penn:

BigBelly Solar Compactors

Outdoor Bin Consolidation

Trayless Dining

Reusable bags and mugs discounts

Leaf Composting

PennMOVES

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New approaches

Green IT –

over 122,000 lbs of old electronics last year

Food Waste

over 4 tons per week

Green Event Guides

Drawn up by events planners

Desk side recycling

Central trash disposal

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New approaches

Vermicomposting-

composting with worms

Annenberg Public Policy Center

Office floor kitchens

Education, understanding

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Penn Moves

over 85,000 pounds of donated goods

Sale to local community

$$$ donated to United Way

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Challenges

Bottled Water

Retail locations

Post Consumer products

Student residence recycling

Making it automatic

Making it standard

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No longer relying on the kindness of strangers

Attacking supply chain- contract language

Requiring café operators to follow recycling and composting requirements

Requiring use of only compostable or recyclable to go containers

Requiring green cleaning supplies

Including LEED Building & Operations Standards

NEXT: Purchasing standards

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“This is a defining issue of the 21st century, and I am proud to promote higher education as a leader in addressing global climate change through research, education, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.”

Amy GutmannPenn President

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